- We appreciate your patience as we continue the construction process.
7/16/2019
Weather permitting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, will be paving Columbus Avenue S. between 54th and 55th Streets East late this week. The crews will be paving E. 54th Street early within the week of July 22. After paving the crews will remove the traffic signs associated with CenterPoint Energy’s work.
7/12/2019
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing in construction for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project. Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis. Below are the details of construction:
- From May 17 to July 26, the crews will continue to maintain one-way traffic going southbound in the east parking lane on Portland Avenue between E. 56th Street and E. 60th Street. This will allow the crews to install the natural gas main and restore the areas for traffic.
- From June 11 to July 13, the crews will be installing natural gas main along Columbus Avenue from north of E. 56th Street to south of E. 54th Street. During this time, E. 55th Street will remain open to local traffic only. E. 54th Street and E. 56th Street will remain open to traffic. Sidewalk traffic will be maintained. Parking will be restricted on Columbus Avenue during active construction.
- From June 11 to July 19, the crews will be installing natural gas main on E. 54th Street from Portland Avenue to Chicago Avenue. They will restore the areas affected by their construction to allow for traffic. One-way traffic going only westbound will be maintained. During active construction, the crews will alternate the closure of E. 54th Street and Park Avenue, and the closure of E. 55th Street and Columbus Avenue. When one intersection closes, the other will open.
- From July 8 to 19, the crews will close E. 54th Street at Columbus Avenue. Westbound traffic will be closed at Chicago Avenue. Eastbound traffic on E. 54th Street at Portland Avenue will be closed. When the crews close E. 54th Street at Portland Avenue, they will maintain northbound and southbound traffic on Portland Avenue to E. 56th Street.
- From June 10 to July 12, the crews are connecting natural gas service lines to the installed mains on 14th Avenue S. from E. 46th Street to E. 35th Street.
- From June 25 to July 12, the crews are connecting natural gas service lines to the installed mains on 15th Avenue S. from E. 35th Street to E. 32nd Street.
- From the week of July 22 to early November 2019, the crews will install natural gas main along the following streets:
- 14th Avenue S. between E. 55th Street and E. 50th Street
- 14th Avenue S. between E. Minnehaha Parkway and E. 38th Street
- 15th Avenue S. between E. 38th Street and the Greenway
- We appreciate your patience as we continue the construction process.
6/28/2019
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing in construction for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project. Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis. Below are the details of construction:
- From May 17 to July 12, the crews will continue to maintain one-way traffic going southbound in the east parking lane on Portland Avenue between E. 56th Street and E. 60th Street. This will allow the crews to install the natural gas main and restore the areas for traffic.
- From June 11 to July 13, the crews will be installing natural gas main along Columbus Avenue from north of E. 56th Street to south of E. 54th Street. During this time, E. 55th Street will remain open to local traffic only. E. 54th Street and E. 56th Street will remain open to traffic. Sidewalk traffic will be maintained. Parking will be restricted on Columbus Avenue during active construction.
- From June 11 to July 8, the crews will be installing natural gas main on E. 54th Street from Portland Avenue to Chicago Avenue. They will restore the areas affected by their construction to allow for traffic. One-way traffic going only westbound will be maintained. During active construction, the crews will alternate the closure of E. 54th Street and Park Avenue, and the closure of E. 55th Street and Columbus Avenue. When one intersection closes, the other will open.
- From July 8 to 19, the crews will close E. 54th Street at Columbus Avenue. Westbound traffic will be closed at Chicago Avenue. Eastbound traffic on E. 54th Street at Portland Avenue will be closed. When the crews close E. 54th Street at Portland Avenue, they will maintain northbound and southbound traffic on Portland Avenue to E. 56th Street.
- From June 10 to July 12, the crews are connecting natural gas service lines to the installed mains on 14th Avenue S. from E. 46th Street to E. 35th Street.
- From June 25 to July 12, the crews are connecting natural gas service lines to the installed mains on 15th Avenue S. from E. 35th Street to E. 32nd Street.
6/14/2019
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing in construction for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project. Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis. Below are the details of construction:
- From May 17 to July 3, the crews will continue to maintain one-way traffic going southbound in the east parking lane on Portland Avenue between E. 55th Street and E. 60th Street. This will allow the crews to install the natural gas main and restore the areas for traffic.
- From June 11 to July 13, the crews will be installing natural gas main along Columbus Avenue from north of E. 56th Street to south of E. 54th Street. During this time, E. 55th Street will remain open to local traffic only. E. 54th Street and E. 56th Street will remain open to traffic. Sidewalk traffic will be maintained. Parking will be restricted on Columbus Avenue during active construction.
- From June 11 to July 12, the crews will be installing natural gas main on E. 54th Street from Portland Avenue to Chicago Avenue. They will restore the areas affected by their construction to allow for traffic. One-way traffic going only westbound will be maintained. During active construction, the crews will alternate the closure of E. 54th Street and Park Avenue, and the closure of E. 55th Street and Columbus Avenue. When one intersection closes, the other will open.
- From June 10 to July 3, the crews will connect natural gas service lines to the installed mains along 14th Avenue S. from E. 46th Street to E. 38th Street.
6/7/2019
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing in construction for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project. Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis. Below are the details of construction:
- From May 17 to July 3, the crews will continue to maintain one-way traffic going southbound in the east parking lane on Portland Avenue between E. 55th Street and E. 60th Street. This will allow the crews to install the natural gas main and restore the areas for traffic.
- From May 13 to June 14, the crews will continue to connect natural gas service lines to the installed mains along 14th Avenue S. between E. 54th Street and E. 50th Street, progressing north.
- From May 14 to June 8, the crews will continue to restore the areas affected by their construction on E. Diamond Lake Road and Portland Avenue between E. 54th Street and E. 55th Street. The traffic control devices are scheduled to be removed on June 8.
- From May 31 to June 8, the crews will install natural gas main along 15th Avenue S. between Lake Street and E. 29th Street.
- From June 11 to July 13, the crews will be installing natural gas main along Columbus Avenue north of E. 56th Street to south of E. 54th Street. During this time, E. 55th Street will remain open to local traffic only. E. 54th Street and E. 56th Street will remain open to traffic. Sidewalk traffic will be maintained. Parking will be restricted on Columbus Avenue during active construction.
- From June 10 to July 3, the crews will connect natural gas service lines to the installed mains along 14th Avenue S. from E. 46th Street to E. 43rd Street.
6/4/2019
Crews from Michels Corporation, an authorized CenterPoint Energy contractor, will finish installing a section of the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project’s natural gas main along 15th Avenue S. between E. 35th Street and E. 29th Street. This section of natural gas main installation will be complete this Friday, June 7.During this week, the crews are connecting natural gas service lines to the installed mains on 14th Avenue S. between E. 52nd Street and E. 50th Street, working north. The crews will be connecting service lines on the 4900 block of 14th Avenue S. this Saturday, June 8. On Monday, June 10, the crews will skip to the 4600 block of 14th Avenue S. For approximately two weeks, the crews will be connecting service lines on 14th Avenue S. between E. 46th Street and E. 43rd Street, working north.
5/31/2019
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing in construction for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project. Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis. Below are the details of construction:
- From May 17 to July 3, the crews will continue to maintain one-way traffic going southbound in the east parking lane on Portland Avenue between E. 55th Street and E. 60th Street. This will allow the crews to install the natural gas main and restore the areas for traffic.
- From May 13 to June 14, the crews will continue to connect natural gas service lines to the installed mains along 14th Avenue S. between E. 54th Street and E. 50th Street, progressing north.
- From May 13 to 31, the crews have installed natural gas main along 14th Avenue S. between E. 49th Street and E. 35th Street, progressing north.
- From May 31 to June 8, the crews will install natural gas main along 15th Avenue S. between Lake Street and E. 29th Street.
- From May 14 to June 8, the crews will continue to restore the areas affected by their construction. The traffic control devices are scheduled to be removed on June 8.
5/23/2019
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing in construction for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project. Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis. Below are the details of construction:
- From May 17 to July 3, the crews will continue to maintain one-way traffic going southbound in the east parking lane on Portland Avenue between E. 55th Street and E. 60th Street. This will allow the crews to install the natural gas main and restore the areas for traffic.
- From May 13 to 31, the crews are installing natural gas main along 14th Avenue S. between E. 49th Street and E. 35th Street going north. They are also connecting natural gas service lines to the installed main along 14th Avenue S. between E. 54th Street and E. 50th Street going north.
- From May 14 to June 1, the crews will have installed the natural gas main and restored the areas affected by construction along E. Diamond Lake Road at Portland Avenue.
5/17/2019
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing in construction for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line Project. Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis. Below are the details of construction:
- The crews have paved the east side of Portland Avenue between E. 54th Street and the north side of E. 56th Street.
- From May 17 until July 3, the crews are maintaining one-way traffic going southbound in the east parking lane on Portland Avenue between E. 55th Street and E. 60th Street.
- Until May 24, one crew is installing natural gas main along 14th Avenue S. between E. 50th Street and E. 54th Street progressing north. Another crew is installing natural gas main along 14th Avenue S. toward E. 35th Street by the end of the week of May 20. After that the crew will transition to installing natural gas main along 15th Avenue S. progressing north.
- Until May 24, the crews will be connecting natural gas service lines to the installed mains along 14th Avenue S. between E. 35th Street and E. 49th Street progressing north.
5/7/2019
Any changes in the following schedule will be coordinated between CenterPoint Energy and the City of Minneapolis:
Update for the weeks of April 22 and 29- Within the week of April 22, crews from CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor installed natural gas main along Columbus Avenue between E. 54th Street and E. 56th Street. The crews also connected natural gas service lines to the installed mains along Portland Avenue between E. 57th Street and E. 60th Street.
- Within the week of April 29, the crews connected natural gas service lines to the installed mains along Columbus Avenue between E. 54th Street and E. 56th Street.
Anticipated schedule for May- From May 3 to 20, the crews will be installing natural gas mains and connecting natural gas service lines to these mains along 14th Avenue S. from E. 54th Street to E. 50th Street.
- From May 1 to 8, the crews have been and will be installing natural gas main at the intersection of E. 60th Street and Portland Avenue. Although four-way traffic will be maintained for vehicles, trucks can’t turn left from eastbound E. 60th Street onto southbound Portland Avenue during active construction. Parking and pedestrian and bicycle traffic will also be impacted during active construction.
- From May 1 to 8, the crews will be working along the northern curb of Diamond Lake Road just west of Portland Avenue, impacting pedestrian traffic in that area but not vehicular traffic; and near the intersection of E. 56th Street and Chicago Avenue without impacting traffic.
- Until the middle of the week of May 6, the crews are continuing to install natural gas main along E. 54th Street from Portland Avenue to Park Avenue, and along E. 55th Street toward Portland Avenue.
- From May 8 or 9 to approximately July 3, the crews will be closing one lane of Portland Avenue at a time between E. 54th Street and E. 56th Street to install the natural gas main and restore the road. Below are some of the details:
- From May 8 to 13, the crews will close the northbound lane on Portland Avenue, keeping one-way traffic in the southbound lane. Detour signs will be on site. During this time, southbound traffic can’t access E. 55th Street from Portland Avenue.
- From May 13 to 20, the crews will close the southbound lane on Portland Avenue, keeping one-way traffic in the southbound lane.
- From May 6 to 24, the crews will be connecting natural gas service lines along 14th Avenue S. working northward between E. 52nd Street and E. 54th Street, following the crew that installs the natural gas main. During this time, northbound and southbound traffic on 14th Avenue S. will be closed to through traffic between E. 52nd Street and E. 54th Street. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be maintained along the intersections.
4/29/2019Today on Monday, April 29, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will begin installing the natural gas main along the east side of 14th Avenue S., starting from E. 54th Street and working north to E. 50th Street. This stretch is anticipated to last for the week of April 29. There will be no parking along the east side of this stretch during active construction.
4/19/2019
Crews from Minnesota Limited, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will be performing the following construction during the week of April 22:
- The crews are continuing to close 23rd Avenue N. between McNair Avenue N. and the alley between Queen Avenue N. and Penn Avenue N. to through traffic.
- Beginning on Monday, April 22, the crews will close McNair Avenue N. between Sheridan Avenue N. and Washburn Avenue N. and Xerxes Avenue N. between Washburn Avenue N. and Glenwood Parkway to through traffic. Northbound and southbound traffic will be maintained along the intersections. During this time, they will be removing the existing natural gas main and installing the new one. They will be gradually paving and reopening sections of the road by the beginning of May.
4/16/2019
Crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, have installed 2 percent of the natural gas mains for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line project.
Natural gas main installations
For the weeks of April 15 and 22, the crews will continue to close E. 55th Street to through traffic from Columbus Avenue S. to Portland Avenue S. During this closure, northbound and southbound traffic will be closed at the intersections of Park Avenue S. and Columbus Avenue S. Detour signs will be on site.
In addition, the crews will be installing natural gas mains along the following streets during the week of April 15:
- Heading north on Portland Avenue S. from just south of E. 56th Street to E. 56th Street
- Heading east on E. 56th Street to Columbus Avenue S.
- Heading north on Columbus Avenue S. to E. 54th Street
Natural gas service line connections
Also during the week of April 15, the crews will be connecting the final of the natural gas service lines to the installed natural gas mains along Portland Avenue S. between E. 56th Street and E. 60th Street. Temporary blacktop will be placed in these areas when the service line connections are complete. The crews will be performing further construction in this area for the Minneapolis 2019 Belt Line.
4/12/2019
In the middle of next week, approximately April 15 through 19, a crew will be moving to the east side of Portland Avenue between Diamond Lake Road and E. 54th Street, and to the south side of E. 54th Street between Portland Avenue and Park Avenue. During this time the following traffic plan will take place:
- Two-way traffic will be shifted to the west side of Portland Avenue S. and to the south side of E. 54th Street.
- There will be no parking on either side of the roads in these areas.
- Road signs on the closed sidewalks will detour pedestrian traffic to the opposite sidewalks.
- The bike lane on Portland Avenue between Diamond Lake Road and E. 54th Street will be closed.
4/9/2019
Crews from Minnesota Limited, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will be performing the following construction during the week of April 8:
- For the first half of this week, the crews will close Russell Avenue N. and Sheridan Avenue N. between 21st Avenue N. and 23rd Avenue N. During these closures, residents can access Russell Avenue N. from 21st Avenue N. and Sheridan Avenue N. from 24th Avenue N.
- For the second half of the week, the crews will close 23rd Avenue N. between Sheridan Avenue N., McNair Avenue N. and Penn Avenue N. and McNair Avenue N. between Sheridan Avenue N. and Russell Avenue N. The crews will alternate closing and opening Queen Avenue N. and Sheridan Avenue N. respectively.
- The dates and locations are subject to change due to the weather, the crew’s progress and agreements between CenterPoint Energy and the city of Minneapolis.
4/5/2019
Crews from Michels Corporation, an authorized CenterPoint Energy contractor, will begin construction on the Minneapolis 2019 belt line large-diameter gas main replacement project on Monday, April 8.
Diamond Lake Road and Portland Ave S.
For the first part of this project, the crews will be closing the north shoulder of Diamond Lake Road on the west side of Portland Avenue S. starting April 8 for construction of a new large-diameter steel gas main. Expect lane closures on Portland Avenue S. later in April as the construction progresses east across Portland. Restoration crews will closely follow behind the gas main construction for road paving and grass boulevard restoration in affected areas.
E. 55th St. and Portland Ave. S.
Also beginning on April 8 and lasting for the next few weeks, crews will begin large-diameter steel gas main construction on E. 55th Street at the west side of Chicago Avenue S., closing E. 55th Street between Chicago Avenue S. and Portland Avenue S. to through traffic. Later in April and into May the construction will progress west on E. 55th Street, then cross and continue south on Portland Avenue S. There will be lane closures and detours on Portland Avenue S. during this time. Additional updates will be posted here over the next couple of weeks as construction progresses.
Initially, there will be posting of "No Parking" signs on both the north and south sides of E. 55th Street between Chicago Avenue S. and Park Avenue S., with parking restrictions beginning on April 8. The no parking restrictions will continue west to Portland Avenue S. as construction progresses.
CenterPoint Energy on-site inspector and construction crew members will work with homeowners in the construction zone areas to coordinate access to driveways and parking during the new gas main installation. Generally speaking, driveways in the work zone will usually be blocked during the work day due to construction activities, but after clean-up at end of day will be accessible.
Restoration, repaving of roads, will closely follow behind the new gas main installation. The streets will open to normal traffic and parking as soon as possible. Again, more updates on construction and restoration timeframes will be posted as construction progresses.
Natural Gas Service Line Installations
For several weeks beginning on April 8, crews will be connecting natural gas service lines to the installed natural gas main along the following streets in the following order: Portland Avenue S. between E. 56th Street and E. 60th Street; E. 56th Street between Portland Avenue S. and Columbus Avenue S.; Columbus Avenue S. between E. 56th Street and E. 54th Street; and E. 54th Street between Columbus Avenue S. and Chicago Avenue S.
4/4/2019
Where, when, and why is CenterPoint Energy performing construction?
CenterPoint Energy will be replacing an existing natural gas distribution main with modern materials in Minneapolis from April 8 to late fall 2019. The replacement gas main project will also involve replacing existing service lines and meters in some areas. Work will occur in 2- to 3-block segments at a time. Project construction will occur along these streets in Minneapolis:
- Portland Avenue S. from E. 60th Street to E. 54th Street
- E. 55th Street from Portland Avenue S. to 14th Avenue S.
- 14th Avenue S. from E. 55th Street to E. 35th Street
- 15th Avenue S. from E. 35th Street to Midtown Greenway
Between April and July 2019, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will be constructing the project in phases:
- Phase 1: Gas main and service line work will start on the Portland Avenue S. segment between E. 60th Street and E. 54th Street. Gas main and service line work will also be in progress on Columbus Avenue S. between E. 56th Street and E. 54th Street.
- Phase 2: Gas main and service line work will start on 14th Avenue S. between E. 55th Street and Minnehaha Creek.
- Phase 3: Between July and October, another gas distribution main will be replaced on 14th Avenue S. between E. 55th Street and Midtown Greenway and include work on 15th Avenue S.
Each phase of construction includes restoration of disturbed roadways, sidewalks, boulevards and yards to original condition.
What is CenterPoint Energy’s mission, and how can I contact CenterPoint Energy?
Lane restrictions will be anticipated in areas where active construction is occurring and are necessary to keep both the public and construction personnel safe. If any closures are necessary, they will be minimized. Local access will be maintained.
CenterPoint Energy has provided safe, clean and efficient natural gas service to Minnesota communities for more than 145 years. We are proud of this record and strive to improve it by educating the public about the benefits of natural gas at
CenterPointEnergy.com/BeSafe. We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to serve you. In addition, you can contact one of the following CenterPoint Energy resources:
Communication Specialist, Hannah GullicksonInformation Hotline